Thursday 27 September 2012

Launch of "Unbreaking the Rainbow"




The Live Poets Society launched the book Unbreaking the Rainbow a collection of protest poems. The magnificent event took place on 5 September at the Point Yacht Club.

“Unbreaking the Rainbow” is one of the first anthologies on protest poetry in South Africa.
It has struggle poetry both from before and after apartheid.

This anthology is an important document and it gives insight into the hearts and minds of South African poets.

Power Corrupts like no other and this is true all over the world.
Poetry serves to bring  out both emotion and intellect and touches the minds and hearts of people enabling them to act.

The book can be used by P.H.D students for their dissertation and anyone who wants to know about the  South African struggle.

The guest speaker for the event was Ella Gandhi  who congratulated  the poets whose works have made it into the pages of “Unbreaking the Rainbow”  as this  is very  significant  and noteworthy collection of protest poetry.

Dr Amitabh Mitra who is the editor of the book introduced each poet , who were given an opportunity to recite their poems. 

The highlight of the evening was the poem recited by Poppy Harvey She intermingled song with poetry with musical results. The ambience was absolutely wonderful and it was so wonderful to see such a marvelous turnout despite the rain. Everything was superb from the organization to the participants to the cuisine and the venue.



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Wednesday 26 September 2012

South African Council for Muslim Women


26 September 2012
Jointly issued by the Institute for Learning and Motivation - South Africa and the South African Council for Muslim Women
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muslim Women Form Council Aimed at Giving them a Collective Voice

A group of Muslim women have formed a national organisation aimed at serving as a collective voice for South African women who follow the Islamic faith.

The South African Council for Muslim Women (SACMW) was officially launched at the inaugural Muslimah* Today conference organised by ILM for Women, a branch of the Institute for Learning and Motivation – South Africa (ILM-SA) in Durban this weekend.

Academic and activist, Lubna Nadvi – who suggested the formation of the council during a presentation she made at the conference – said close to a hundred women had expressed an interest in being involved.

“Our goal as women hailing from different ideological, racial and cultural backgrounds is to be a collective voice for South African Muslim women on all relevant issues,” she said.  “We aim to strive towards inclusivity of participation by South African Muslim women from all walks of life, and to provide a platform for the discussion of all matters relating to the Islamic faith as they pertain to both the local and global context.”

Fatima Asmal-Motala, the director of ILM-SA said she was elated that initiative had been launched during the conference.

“Muslimah Today is about motivating women to play a significant role in society, and let their voices be heard, and their contributions be recognised.  I hope SACMW will serve as a platform whereby what we learnt at the conference from a group of amazing women can be implemented.”

She added that it was important to recognise that whilst several women who had expressed an interest in joining SACMW were actively involved in studying various branches of Islamic Sciences, the organisation was not a theological one.  “Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that there are various ideological groupings within the Islamic community – the Council is not a theological organisation and thus does not subscribe to any particular ideology and welcomes women from the various groupings to join and make input.”

Asmal-Motala described Muslimah Today as a ‘phenomenal success,’ and said she hoped to see it taking place in other provinces in the near future.  “Several women who are not Muslim attended and were pleasantly surprised to interact with a group of eloquent, articulate, proactive and empowered women, both from amongst the speakers, as well as the delegates.”
She added that four women had converted to the Islamic faith during the course of the conference.  “They had been interested in Islam, but listening to these phenomenal women speaking had given them further impetus and inspiration to make a final decision.”





Shubnum Khan, author of Onion Tears, speaks to women at this weekend’s Muslimah Today conference about the importance of telling their own stories





Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Fatima Chohan shares her perspectives on the role of the South African Muslim women at this weekend’s Muslimah Today conference



Photograph credits:  Lashika Ravjee
                                                                    


### ### ###
For interviews, community media organisations may contact their regional SACMW coordinators: Durban:  Lubna Nadvi (083 786 4918, lubna@mweb.co.za)
Gauteng:  Safiyyah Surtee (084 300 0019, safiyyah.s@gmail.com)
Pretoria: Quraysha Ismail Sooliman (083 397 6021, yrashid@mweb.co.za)
Cape Town:  Fayruz Patton (fayruzp@gmail.com)
National media organisations can liaise with Fatima Asmal-Motala (083 271 4500, fatima.asmal@gmail.com) who will refer them to the appropriate individuals for panel discussions/interviews

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Muslimah Today 2012 ..... days to go!


As salaamu alaikum

Muslimah Today, South Africa's first conference about Muslim women, takes place this long weekend, the 22nd to 24th of September in sha Allah.

Featuring a line up of South Africa's most inspirational Muslim women (including the National Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Fatima Chohan)  discussing a diverse range of topics, Muslimah Today is a must-attend for every woman, irrespective of age, educational level, race or ideological affiliation.  However, registration closes tomorrow, and is compulsory in order to secure a seat.  Regrettably no registrations will be accepted at the door, due to various considerations.

The following registration options are available:

1)  Entire weekend, including lunch on Saturday and Sunday, refreshments throughout, as well as writing material and a small gift - R300 (students R250)
2)  Saturday only, including lunch, refreshments, writing material and a small gift - R125
3)  Sunday only, including lunch, refreshments, writing material and a small gift - R125
4)  Monday only, including refreshments, writing material and a small gift - R50 (Monday is a half day)
5)  Childcare - R25 per day, or R75 for the entire weekend per child (no snacks or meals provided)

You can find details about times, venue, programme, etc. here:  www.muslimahtoday2012.wordpress.com/muslimah-today-2012

To register:
a)  email your name, surname, cell number, meal preference (vegetarian or non vegetarian), and days you are attending to info@ilmsa.co.za as soon as possible.  Please DO NOT do so, if you are not sure you are attending.
b)  once you have done so, make payment by 12pm tomorrow, Thursday, the 20th of September,  as follows:
-   at NMJ Islamic Centre, ILM-SA offices, second office in basement area
-   or via EFT or cash deposit (for cash deposits please add R10) into:  Account: Institute for Learning and Motivation - South Africa, Bank: FNB, Branch Code:  222826, Account Number:  62143281905, reference:  InitialsurnameMT.  Important:  email proof of payment to info@ilmsa.co.za

If you have any further queries, please contact us at 083 271 4500 or info@ilmsa.co.za or BBM  2729054A.

JazakAllah
wassalaam
ILM-SA

Saturday 1 September 2012

Henna Art by Husnaa


Poetry of Abdulla Amla


The official release of Abdulla Amla's long & much anticipated anthology of romantic poems and proses will take place early next week. The name of the book will be announced upon release.

For those of you who aren't aware, this is his first publication. His passion for writing coupled with persuasion and praise by colleagues and friends alike over the years, has prompted him to publish this anthology of romantic poems. This anthology is set to stir many hearts. Nature at its best and the beauty it holds, the very essence of romance and the acceptance of love itself, has set the motion for this collection gift wrapped to perfection. Abdulla has aimed to set poetry in motion inviting the reader into the poem and experiencing the meaning of poetry from a lover's world. A stones throw from bringing the picture to reality.

With this publication, he has fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming a published poet.

All those interested in purchasing his book/s, may do so by purchasing the book/s directly from Breeze Publishing by calling 0791079930 or email breezepublishing@gmail.com before it hits the shelves of book stores. Please Look out for the announcement & more details.


By Naseema Mall
BREEZE PUBLISHING